Safety switch and signal.



PATENTED OUT. 22, 1907.

G. E. NOWLIN. SAFETY SWITCH AND SIGNAL.

7 APPLIGATION FILED JUNE 26. 1907- s SHEETS-SHEET 1.

' SAFETY SWITCH AND SIGNAL. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 25 1907.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

H llll II III sat PATENTED 00122.2,1907.

0. E. NOWLIN.

SAFETY SWITCH AND SIGNAL.

APPLIOATIOH FILED JUNE 25, 1907.

a sums-sum 3.

TH: Nmuus Plfl'ks cm, WASHINGTON, n.

CLIFFORD E. NOWLIN, OF BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN.

SAFETY SWITCH AND SIGNAL. I

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 22, 1907.

Application filed June 25,1907. Serial No. 380,776.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLIFFORD E. NowLiN, of Battle Creek, in the countyof Calhoun and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Safpty Switches and Signals; and I hereby declare thatthe following is a full, clear, and exact description ther of, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawi ugs, which form partof thisspecification.

The present invention relates to an improved main line safety switchstand and signal which operates in keeping with the established habitsof trainmen and constitutes an effective safeguard against accidents atthe switch where trains are running at high speed, and the inventionaims to provide a simple and comparatively inexpensive device of thischaracter which is positive in its operation and in which the variousparts are readily accessible for repair.

A further object is to design a switch operating mechanism which holdsthe semaphore arm at danger un til the switch is entirely closed, whenit is instantly moved to clear position.

The invention also contemplates a construction in which the mechanism isbut slightly damaged when a train rims through a closed switch, and inwhich the semaphore-arm remains at danger until the damage is repaired.

For a full understanding of the invention and the merits thereof andalso to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction, reference isto be had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a rear viewof the improved safety switch and signal. li 2 is a side elevation ofthe same. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view through the casing,looking at the mechanism therein from one side. Fig. 4 is a similar viewlooking at the mechanism from the opposite side. Fig. 5 is a transversesectional view through the casing, on line 5-5 of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is aplan view of a portion of the track showing the mounting of theprotector bar. Fig. 7 is a detail view of the bearings upon which theprotector bar is mounted.

(iorrcspomling and like parts are referred to in the f .)llowingdescription and indicated on all the views of the drawings by the samereference characters.

The numerals 1 designate the rails of the main track and 2 the switchpoints which are rigidly connected by a bar 3, one end of which has anoperative connection with the switch operating rod which is slidablymounted within the casing 5. This casing 5 is secured in any suitablemanner to the tics upon one side of the track and is formed withremovable side plates 6 which enable ready access to be had to theinterior of the casing for the purpose of repairing the mechanismtherein. Projecting upward from the casing is a tubular standard 7having the semaphore 8 mounted thereon.

The switch operating rod t has a sleeve 9 rigidly connected thereto, thesaid sleeve being provided with a tioned groove in the upper portion ofthe sleeve.

laterally projecting locking lip 10 and also having a longitudinalgroove formed in the upper portion thereof. A slide 11 is looselymounted upon the operating rod 4 by means of a pair of arms 12 and 13which embrace the sleeve 9, and the said slide is formed with a webportion 14 loosely received within the before men- The forward end ofthe slide 11 has a wedge formation and is provided with an inclinedsurface 15 designed to engage a cooperating inclined surface 16 upon thelower portion of a locking block 17 mounted for a vertical slidingmovement.

The forward arm 12 of the slide 11 is pivotally connected to arearwardly extending arm 18 having the extremity thereof bifurcated toreceive the lower end of the operating lever 19. This operating leverextends upwardly above the casing 5 and carries a perforated flangecooperating with a quadrant 20 in the usual and well known manner toenable the lever to be locked by means of an ordinary padlock at eitherextreme of its movement whereby any tampering with the switch isrendered practically impossible.

The locking block 17 is provided upon one side of the inclined or camsurface 16 with a downward extension 22 having a safety block 23detachably connected to the lower face thereof by a bolt 24, the forwardend of the said safety block 'carrying a hook member 28 which projectswithin a recess in the locking block 17 and engages a perforation in thelower extremity of a semaphore operating rod mounted within the tubularstandard 7 and passing through the locking block. The block 17 is guidedin its vertical movements by a guide rib 25 secured to the forward endof the casing and engaging a vertical groove in the said block, and themovements of the semaphore operating rod 26 are controlled by the block.It will be observed that the movement of the slide 11 is limited by thesleeve 9 and that when the switch is closed or in normal position thelocking block 17 is lowered so that the safety block 23 is disposeddirectly in the path of the locking lip 10, the limited movement of theslide enabling the locking block 17 to be lifted previous to opening theswitch so as to be held over the locking lip 10 when the switch is open.

A transverse shaft 27 is journaled at the upper end of the standard 7and is provided with an intermediate crank portion engaging the upperend of the semaphore operating rod 26. Rigid with one end of the saidshaft 27 is the semaphore casting 8, which is provided with thedifferent colored lenses and a semaphore blade. The blade extendsoutward and upward from casting 8, while the opposite end of the shafthas rigidly fastened to it a corresponding casting for displaying theclear and danger signal lights. The semaphore lamp is fastened to thepole in the usual manner. This blade or semaphore arm, as it issometimes called, is located at a much greater distance above thetracks. Having the sky for a background, consequently it can be seen bythe engineer at a greater distance than can the ordinary switch target.

As shown in the present instance an upright or downward verticalposition of the semaphore blade indicates that the switch is closed andthe track is clear; while a horizontal position of the semaphore bladeindicates that the switch is open. When the locking block 17 is in alowered position the semaphore is upright, while when the said lockingblock is elevated the semaphore blade is swung into a horizontalposition.

When the switch is in normal or closed position as shown in Fig. 3 thecam surface 16 of the locking block is in engagement with the camsurface 15 of the slide and the sleeve 9 is adjacent the forward arm 12of the said slide. In order to throw the switch from a closed to an openposition the operating lever 19 is pulled rearwardly and the slide 11thereby moved forward. This slide moves independently of the switchoperating rod 4 until the sleeve 9 abuts against the rear arm 13 thereofand this limited movement enables the cam surface 15 of the slide tocooperate with the cam surface 16 of the locking block 17 to elevate thelatter and lift the safety block 23 out of the path of the locking lip10. The continued movement of the slide then causes the switch operatingrod l to move longitudinally and throw the switch. From the foregoingdescription it will be apparent that the lifting of the locking block 17operates through the rod 26 to move the semaphore 8 to the dangerposition.

When it is desired to close the switch the operating lever is swung in areverse direction and the slide 11 withdrawn. It will be observed thatthe slide moves independently of the switch operating bar 4 until thesleeve 9 engages the forward arm 12 of the slide. The rod 4 is thendrawn inwardly and the switch closed, the locking block 17 resting uponthe locking lip 10 and being held in an elevated position until the lipslips from under the safety block 23, which is not until the switch isentirely closed. When the locking block drops the semaphore is moved toan upright or clear position and attention is directed to the fact thatthis is practically an instantaneous movement and does not take placeuntil the switch is completely closed.

Should an engineer run through the switch when closed the operating rod4 is forcibly drawn outward and the locking lip 10 caused to engage thesafety block 23 and shear the bolt 24 by means of which it is attachedto the locking blocln The safety block is itself moved forward asuflicient amount to disengage the hook member 28 from the semaphoreoperating rod 26. The semaphore then assumes a danger position and maintains the same until the damage is repaired. Owing to the fact that theside plates 6 of the casing 5 are removable it will be obvious thataccess can be readily had to the interior of the casing to replace thebolt and repair the damage. if

A protector bar 29 somewhat similar to those commonly employed isapplied to the side of one of the rails and normally lies flush with thetop of the rail. Should a switch point become loose however theprotector bar is slightly elevated and engages the wheels of the rollingstock which force it down and hold the loose point in place until thelast wheels of the train have left the bar. This prevents the switchpoints from becoming loose and standing away from the rails sufficientlyto wreck the train.

It will be observed that one end of the protector bar has an operativeconnection with a bell-crank-lever 30 which engages the switch operatingrod 4. This protector bar 29 is supported upon upright links 31 havingtheir lower ends pivotally mounted upon pivot studs 34, the extremitiesof which are received within corresponding sockets in complernentalcastings 32 and 33, the former fitting against one of the rails 1.

Having thus described the invention what I claim as new is:

l. The combination of a switch, a switch operating rod, a slide having alimited movement therewith and formed with a cam surface, a switchlocking block movable at right angles to said slide and provided with acooperating cam surface, and a signal controlled by the locking block.

2. The combinationol' a switch, a switch operating rod, a slide looselymounted on said rod and provided with a cam surface, and means forcausing the slide to move certain distances with the rod; with avertically movable switch locking block formed with a cooperating camsurface and adapted to be operated by said slide.

3. The combination of a switch, a switch operating rod, a slide having alimited movement therewith and provided with a cam surface, a verticallymovable locking block formed with a coiiperating cam surface, and asignal con trolled by the locking block l. The combination of a switch,a switch operating rod, a locking lip carried by the said operating;rod, a movable locking block designed to rest upon the lip at apredetermined position of the switch, and means carried by the operatingrod for elevating the locking block.

The combination of a switch, a switch operating rod, a locking lipcarried by the said rod, a movable locking block designed to rest uponthe lip at a predetermined position of the switch, and a signalcontrolled by the locking block.

(3. The con'ibination of a switch, a switch operating rod, a locking lipcarried by the said rod, a movable locking block designed to rest uponthe lip at a predetermined po sition of the switch, and a slide mountedupon the operat ing rod and serving to lift the locking block previousto moving the operating rod.

7. The combination of a switch, a switch operating rod, a sleeve rigidwith therod and carrying a locking lip, a slide mounted upon the rod andlimited in its movements by the sleeve, and a movable locking blockdesigned to rest upon the locking lip when the switch is open and to beelevated by the slide previous to opening the switch.

The combination of a switch, a switch operating rod, a sleeve rigid withthe said rod and carrying a locking lip, a slide mounted upon theoperating rod and limited in its movements by the sleeve, a movablelocking block designed to rest upon the locking lip when the switch isopen and to be elevated by the slide previous to opening the switch, anda signal controlled by the locking block.

9. The combination of a switch, a switch operating rod, a member rigidwith the said rod and carrying a locking lip, a slide mounted upon therod and limited in its movements by the said member and formed with acam surface, a vertically movable locking block formed with acooperatingcam surface whereby it is elevated previous to throwing theswitch, the said locking block being designed to rest upon the lip whenthe switch is open.

10. The combination of a switch, a switch operating rod, a member rigidwith the said rod and carrying a locking lip, a slide mounted upon therod and limited in its movements by the said member and formed with acam surface, a vertically movable locking block formed with a coiiperating cam surface whereby it is elevated previous to throwing the switch,the said locking block being designed to restupon the lip when theswitch is open, and a signal controlled by the locking block.

11. The combination of a switch, a switch operating rod, 21 member rigidwith the said rod and carrying a locking lip, a slide mounted upon therod and limited in its movemcnts by the said member and carrying a camsurface, a ments by the said member, a vertically movable lockingvertically movable locking block formed with a cooperating cam surfaceand designed to rest upon the lip when the switch is open. and a leverhaving an operative connection with the slide.

1;. The combination of a switch. a casing, a switch operating rodslidahly mounted upon the casing, a switch ope -ating mechanism mountedwithin the casing, a verti cally movable locking block cooperating withthe switch operating mechanism. a standard projecting from the casing, acrank shaft mounted upon the standard, a semaphore applied to the saidshaft, and a semaphore operating rod connecting the crank shaft and thelocking blockv iii. The combinalion of a switch, a switch operatingmechanism. a locking block cooperating therewith, a safety block appliedto the locking block, and means for severing the said safety blocktherefrom when the switch is forcibly opened.

H. The combinalion of a switch, a switch operating mechanism. a lockingblock cooperating therewith, a safety block applied to the lockingblock, means for severing the safety block therefrom when the switch isforcibly opened, a signal, and means for operating; the signal when thesafety blocl: is severed.

15. The combination of a switch. a switch operating mechanism. a signal.a rod for operating the signal, a lockng block coiipeiatiug with theswitch operating mechanism, a safety block applied to the locking blockand having a detachable connerlion with the signal operating rod, andmeans for severing the safety block from the locking block anddisconnecting it from the signal operating rod when the switch isforcibly opened.

11:. The combination of a switch, a switch operating rod, a locking lipcarried by the operating rod, a movable locl lug block. a safety blockapplied to the locking block and normally in the palh of the lip so asto be severed from the locking block when the switch is forcibly opened,and means for moving the locking block previous to throwing the switclt17. The combination of a switch, a switch operating rod, a member rigidwith the said rod and carrying a locking lip. a slide mounted upon therod and limited in its moveblock designed to be lifted by the slideprevious to throwing the switch and to rest upon the locking lip afterthe switch has been thrown, and a safety block applied to the lockingblock and normally disposed in the path of the lock- 1 ing lip so as tobe severed from the locking block should the switch be forcibly opened.

18. The combination of a switch, a switch operating rod, a member rigidwith the said rod and carrying a locking lip, a slide mounted upon therod and limited in its movements by the said member, a verticallymovable locking block designed to be lifted by the slide previous tothrowing the switch and to rest upon the lip after the switch has beenthrown. a signal, a signal operating rod, and a safety block applied tothe locking block and having a hooked connection with the signaloperating rod, the said safety block being normally disposed in the pathof the locking lip so as to be severed from the locking block and becomedisconnected from the signal operating rod should the switch be forciblyopened.

19. The combination of a switch, a switch operating rod, a member rigidwith the said rod and carrying a locking lip, a slide mounted upon therod and limited in its move ments by the said member and formed with acam surface, a vertically movable locking block provided with acooperating cam surface whereby the locking block is elevated previousto throwing the switch, the locking block being designed to rest uponthe locking lip when the switch is thrown, a signal, a signal operatingrod, and a safety block applied to the locking block and having adetachable connection with the signal operating rod, the said safetyblock being normally disposed in the path of the locking lip so as to besevered from the locking block and become disconnected from the signaloperating rod should the switch be forcibly opened.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I atlix my signaturein presence of two witnesses.

CLIFFORD E. NOiVLIN.

Witnesses FAY B. GREEN, JOHN H. S'rnrunNs.

